Phalaenopsis orchid plant named &#39;Kissy Lips&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Kissy Lips’ particularly characterized by flowers which are purple with a darker purple labellum; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Phalaenopsishybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘Kissy Lips’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceaefamily, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Kissy Lips’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 55 species of herbaceousperennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable forcultivation in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantlyepiphytic or rock-dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the MalayArchipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy,oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodialgrowth), which vary in size from 5 to 8 inches to over 2 feet. Theleaves may be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in thehorticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for theflorist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home orinteriorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often withmany showy flowers which open in succession beginning with thelowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; thelateral ones being alike. The lowermost petal, called the labellum, isthree-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flowersegments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellowand red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexualpropagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots whichfrequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. Theresulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be plantedin a suitable substrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Kissy Lips’ is a product of a controlled breedingprogram conducted by the inventor, René Schoone, in Strengweg,Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was todevelop a new Phalaenopsis cultivar particularly characterized by itsattractive and unique colored flowers, economical propagation via tissueculture, rapid growth, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging andshipping to the market.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Kissy Lips’ originated from a cross made by theinventor in 2003 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The female orseed parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘Sogo Tical’,unpatented. The male or pollen parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivardesignated ‘Sogo Berry’, unpatented. The new Phalaenopsis ‘Kissy Lips’was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in2011 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis cultivar by tissue culture(mericloning) was first performed in July, 2011 in Cieweg 13, Heemskerk,The Netherlands, and has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmlyfixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction. The new cultivar asexually reproduces true-to-type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘Kissy Lips’, which in combinationdistinguish this Phalaenopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. flowers which are purple with a darker purple labellum;    -   2. plant produces more than one inflorescence;    -   3. plants may be propagated economically and uniformly using        tissue culture;    -   4. inflorescences are long and sturdy; and    -   5. relatively short, dark-green foliage.

In comparison with the parental cultivars of ‘Kissy Lips’, the flowersof the female parent ‘Sogo Tical’ are purple but a little larger than‘Kissy Lips’, the flowers of the male parent ‘Sogo Berry’ are purple buta little smaller than ‘Kissy Lips’.

Presently, the commercial cultivar to which ‘Kissy Lips’ can bemeaningfully compared is ‘Lions Dive’. ‘Kissy Lips’ has purple flowersand labellum, whereas ‘Lions Dive’ has purple/violet flowers andlabellum. ‘Lions Dive’ is also about 50 cm in size, whereas ‘Kissy Lips’is about 40 cm in size.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis ‘Kissy Lips’ showing the colors as true as isreasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors inthe photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘Kissy Lips’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of‘Kissy Lips’ in a 12 cm pot, at 16 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical flower of ‘Kissy Lips’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘Kissy Lips’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘Kissy Lips’ has not been observed underall possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivarmay vary with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of theplant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘Kissy Lips’ asgrown in a greenhouse in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, underconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice. Initially, the ideal temperature to grow plants of ‘KissyLips’ is 27° C. during the day and at night. Then, during the floweringphase of ‘Kissy Lips’, the ideal growing temperature is 20-22° C. duringthe day and 18° C. at night. Light levels for growing ‘Kissy Lips’ are aminimum of 5,000 lux and a maximum of 10,000 lux. A balanced fertilizerwith level of 200 ppm N, 87 ppm P, 168 ppm K is applied. Duration ofgrowth of ‘Kissy Lips’ from potting size is between 10 and 14 months.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 2007 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately noon in Zaandammerweg, Assendelft, The Netherlands. Theage of the ‘Kissy Lips’ plants described is 12 months after potting.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrida.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Sogo Tical’, unpatented.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Sogo Berry’, unpatented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—tissue culture.        -   Rooting habit and description.—Fleshy; approximately 5 mm-7            mm wide and greyed/green in color (RHS 190B); freely            branching. It takes 12 weeks for plants growing in tissue            culture to initiate roots.-   Plant:    -   -   Size at maturity.—Height (from bottom of pot to highest            flower): about 40 cm Spread: about 40 to 50cm.        -   Growth habit.—small; green leaves (RHS N137A) and a            relatively normal raceme.        -   Vigor.—moderate.        -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, at about 26 weeks            2 leaves appear; at about 30 weeks 3-4 leaves appear; after            a cold treatment of about 4-8 weeks at a temperature of            about 19 ° C. about 1-3 racemes with flowers appear.-   Foliage:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 6 -8 leaves are produced before            flowering.        -   Arrangement and attachment.—half up/horizontal and on two            sides.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—oval; the tip is blunt and            asymmetric.        -   Texture (upper & underside).—smooth and leathery.        -   Pubescence.—none.        -   Mature leaf length.—about 16 cm.        -   Mature leaf width.—about 8 cm.        -   Mature leaf thickness.—about 2 mm.        -   Mature leaf color.—upper side: green (RHS N137A) Under side:            green (RHS 137B).        -   Leaf base.—acute.        -   Margin.—entire.        -   Venation.—Pattern: parallel Color of midvein: upper side:            green (RHS 139A) under side: green (RHS 139A).-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—upright to slightly pendant, racemose            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.-   Raceme:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—about 1 to 3.        -   Number of flowers per raceme.—about 13-25.        -   Length.—about 40 cm.        -   Diameter.—about 6 mm.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—about 12 cm.        -   Diameter.—about 4 mm.        -   Strength.—strong.        -   Aspect.—upright.        -   Texture.—glabrous and smooth.        -   Color.—yellow/green (RHS 146A and RHS 146B) with brown (RHS            N200A).        -   Buds.—Height (from base to tip): about 12-15 mm Diameter (at            midpoint): about 7-15 mm Shape: oval with a bump Color:            purple (RHS N79C) with some yellow/green (RHS 144B)            Orientation: same as flowers (forward facing).        -   Flowering Time.—For an untreated plant (flowering plant that            has not undergone cold-treatment where the plant grows at a            temperature of 18° C. to 19° C. for about 4 to 8 weeks after            a period of about 30 weeks at a temperature of 25° C.), 1-3            racemes appear with flower buds and flowers. First flowers            can be expected approximately 4 to 6 months after planting a            plant with a leaf diameter of 3 to 5 cm. Flowers persistent.        -   Flowering longevity.—On the plant: about 4 to 6 months;            lastingness of cut flowers: has not been observed.        -   Fragrance.—no fragrance.        -   Flower.—Rate of opening: Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3            days after petal and sepal separation. Orientation at            opening: slanted upward and outward. Shape: Typical shape of            Phalaenopsis; see FIG. 2 Size (of single bloom): Height:            about 42 mm Diameter: about 49 mm Quantity and arrangement:            three petals and three sepals that are trimerous,            overlapping and arranged in 2 whorls. Petals are more            pronounced than sepals.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Inner whorl comprises 3 petals: 2            lateral petals and a labellum. 2 lateral petals: Overall            shape: little triangular and weakly cupped Apex: oval            Margin: entire and weakly undulate Base: broadly ovate            Length: about 22 mm Width: about 25 mm Texture: Upper            surface: smooth and satiny Under surface: smooth and satiny            Color (when fully opened): upper side: main color is purple            (RHS N78A) with a red/purple haze (RHS 70B). At the edges            some white (RHS NN155D). At the base some red/purple (RHS            70B) with red/purple stripes and spots (RHS 72A). Under            side: purple (RHS 77B) with some white at the base, the top            and on the edges (RHS NN155D). Labellum: Overall shape:            3-lobed with 2 prominent callosities at central junction of            the lateral lobes and base of the midlobe. Lateral lobes of            labellum fold upward about the column; the midlobe extends            forward and is terminated by 2 stubs appendages at the apex.            Lateral lobes of the labellum are ovate in shape while the            midlobe is triangular with a bump and a rib on it. Margin:            entire and weakly undulate Apex of the midlobe and lateral            lobes: oval Length midlobe: about 23 mm Width midlobe (not            flattened): about 15 mm Length lateral lobe: about 21 mm            Width lateral lobe (not flattened): about 16 mm Depth of            tube created by lateral lobes of labellum: about 21 mm            Texture: Upper & under surface: smooth and satiny Color            (when fully opened): Midlobe, upper side: main color is            purple (RHS N79A) with closer to the cirrhi red/purple (RHS            72A). Under side: red/purple (RHS 72A) with on the edges            purple (RHS N79A) with some grey/white (RHS 156D). In the            center a haze of white (RHS NN155C) Lateral lobes, upper            side: at the base white (RHS NN155D) with a yellow haze (RHS            13A) which runs into purple (RHS N79A) and purple (RHS 77A).            Under side: at the base white (RHS NN155A) which runs into            purple (RHS N79A) and purple (RHS 77A) Cirrhi: about 1 mm            color: red/purple (RHS 72A) Pestle (Callosities): Length:            about 3 mm Width (not flattened): about 4 mm Color: main            color is yellow (RHS 13A) with red/purple stripes and spots            (RHS 59A).        -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Outer whorl comprises 3 sepals, one            dorsal and two lateral sepals Overall shape: elliptical and            weakly cupped Margin: entire and weakly undulate Length:            about 22 mm Width: about 17 mm Apex: oval/little pointy            Texture: Upper and under surface: smooth and satiny Color            (when fully opened): Upper side, dorsal: purple (RHS N78A)            with red/purple stripes and spots (RHS 70B) at the edge some            white (RHS NN155C). Lateral: main color is purple (RHS N78A)            with a white haze (RHS N155B). At the base some white (RHS            NN155C). From the base some purple spots (RHS 78A) which            runs into red/purple spots (RHS 70B). Under side, dorsal:            purple (RHS N78C) with a white haze (RHS N155B) Lateral:            purple (RHS N78A) with white (RHS N155B).        -   Pedicel.—Length: about 30 mm Diameter: about 3 mm Texture:            glabrous and smooth Color: white (RHS N155B) with purple            (RHS 78A) with some yellow/green (RHS 146B).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a            single, short structure called the column, possessing one            terminal anther with pollen grains united into a pollinia,            which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located            under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior            with three carpels present. The plant has not produced seed.        -   Column.—Length: about 10 mm Diameter: about 3 mm Color:            purple (RHS N78A).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: two Diameter: about 3 mm Color:            yellow/orange (RHS 23A).        -   Ovary.—Length: about 3 mm Diameter: about 2 mm Color: white            (RHS NN155D).-   Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 15    ° C. and to a high temperature about 30 ° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named‘Kissy Lips’, as illustrated and described herein.